KPMG WOMEN'S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

June 23, 2022

Hye-Jin Choi

Congressional Country Club (Blue Course)

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Here with Hye-Jin Choi. 3-under 69. Bogey-free. Great round today. Tell me, you had birdies on 5, 7, and 8. Can you tell us about those holes?

HYE-JIN CHOI: So, yeah, I was able to play a good round today without any bogeys. Feels like three birdies is all I did, but after on the first birdie, I hit the shot really well, but the feel for the putting was really good too.

So after that I trusted my putter, and I think I was able to putt well afterwards. Also, after the par saves too, I got more confidence on my putting.

THE MODERATOR: What were the course conditions like today? You played in the afternoon, so the ground was wet, but no rain, right? How did the course play today?

HYE-JIN CHOI: The course was a lot wet with the rain, so the fairways actually felt long. But yeah, in the practice round it was pretty wet even without the rain, but because the ground was so wet, I was able to hit the ball directly into the green without any rolling away.

THE MODERATOR: This is your first time playing in the KPMG Women's PGA. This is bigger than our normal everyday LPGA event. What has this experience been like and playing on such an amazing golf course like Congressional? What's this experience like this week?

HYE-JIN CHOI: So, yeah, I played a practice round here, so I had a lot of anticipation. The course is definitely not as easy, and I like to play aggressive. It's definitely hard to do that here, so I have to play safe and be strategic in that. Again, I had a lot of anticipation here. I'm glad to have finished the first round really well.

Q. So you knew that the course was going to play long. I mean, it was wet. What was your secret today? Good second shots? Hybrid, woods? Good parts? What worked for you especially today?

HYE-JIN CHOI: The shots were hitting well, but I think it was the putter that did it. I was able to gain more confidence after getting the more difficult putts in.

And then in the middle of my round I missed the greens, but got away with the par save thanks to my putter, so that was good.

Q. When did you see that the leading score was 8-under and that you had to chase that, or were you trying to get to that, or were you just playing your own game?

HYE-JIN CHOI: I actually checked that the leading score was 8-under before I teed off, and I know it's the first round, so instead of looking at other players' scores, my goal was to limit my mistakes, and I'm glad I was able to do that today.

THE MODERATOR: It's your first time here, but you've played in many major championships, and you've always played well. Many good finishes. Third at the Women's Open. What is it about majors that brings out the best in your game?

HYE-JIN CHOI: Other tournaments are good too, but especially in majors the course setup is difficult and different, and major courses aren't courses where you can just think easily, so you really have to be strategic on how you attack the courses and make sure you limit the mistakes.

So during majors I try to make sure -- I try to quickly check the settings of the courses so that I can go play.